Meteorologists are forecasting what could be the worst storm to hit the eastern United States in…
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It's always a good idea to be prepared for a storm, but it's a particularly good idea to be prepared when one is incoming. Here's everything you need to ride out a crazy storm in relative comfort, whether it be hurricane Sandy, or whatever violent weather plagues your locale.

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Drinking Water

Water is key here. When it comes to drinking water, you want at least one gallon, per person, per day. In the case of a serious storm, that means you probably want no less than three gallons per person. You'll also want extra water for cooking, cleaning, and whathaveyou. For that liquid stash, you can fill up whatever pots and pans you have handy, and even fill up the tub if things are looking particularly dicey. ~$10

Food

Canned food is the go-to for distaster situations because of its shelf-life, so you should just always have a fair bit of that around. If you're prepping for a specific incoming storm, canned food is still a good bet if there's any left on store shelves, but not all of your food has to be canned, or even non-perishable. After all, you've got to eat something first. Things that require refrigeration—or worse, foods that need to stay frozen—are mostly a no-go. ~$45

A Non-Electric Can Opener

I mean, duh. But on the off-chance you rely on an automatic one, it's something that's possible to miss. You wouldn't want to doom yourself death by irony amid a sea of unopened cans, now would you? ~$5

Cash Money

When civilization goes all the way down the tubes, you're going to need to start bartering. Until then however, cash is your friend. There is never, ever, ever going to be a time in a disaster situation where being able to pay in cash is going to hurt you. Just don't like, be waving it around for kicks, or anything. ~$150

A Battery Powered Radio

You might think terrestrial radio is dead, but during disasters, it gets to be cool again. If you lose power and—god forbid—your phone eventually dies or you lose service for whatever reason, you're going to have to have a way to get information. A radio should be able to help you out with that, and also mixtapes, but the value of that second one is a little more questionable. ~$10

Well-Charged Gadgets

If you know there's a storm a-brewing, make sure to keep your devices topped off, or moderate your usage of them so that they're mostly charged when the proverbial excrement hits the spinning blades of fate. You don't want to rely on your phone or tablet for anything if you can help it, but it certainly doesn't hurt to have them around as options until batteries die. Diligence

Something To Do

It's not quite as important as food or water, but no one wants to go stir crazy. Pick up that book you've been meaning to read, or a deck of cards, or a box of condoms if the situation calls for it. Counting the tiles on the bathroom floor ceases to be a viable form of amusement once you've done it for the 30th time. ~$30

Extra Toilet Paper

A First Aid Kit and Other Assorted Goodies

In which case the First Aid Kit and assorted goodies include (at least): bandages, pain-killers, a supply of whatever medicines you or your fellow survivors need to take on a regular basis, gauze, a needle and some thread, tweezers, scissors, a thermometer, pen and paper, and well, if you want to be sure you should probably just buy one. ~$30

A Bug-Out Bag

In case you need to bail evacuate, you want to be ready to beat feet at a moment's notice. That's where the bug-out bag comes in. In part, it consists of some of the items above (some of the food, and water, and all of the cash, for instance) but you'll also want to pack up a few changes of clothes as well as any important papers like identification, insurance documents, etc. Free, providing you own a bag